Former U.S. Senator
Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day's co-founder, modeled Earth Day on
anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, called "teach-ins,"
that were common on college campuses. "At a conference in
Seattle in September 1969, I announced that in the spring of
1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on
behalf of the environment," says Nelson. "The response
was electric. Telegrams, letters, and telephone inquiries poured
in from all across the country." As many as 20 million Americans
participated in environmental rallies, demonstrations and other
activities in the 1970 Earth Day.

Since the first Earth
Day, however, the environmental movement has increasingly transformed
itself from a largely grassroots, citizen crusade to a professionally-organized,
established special interest. Environmental organizations now
employ 3,400 full-time employees, including leaders who often
make $150,000 or more, as well as a small army of scientists,
lobbyists, lawyers and public affairs specialists. In his book
Undue Influence, Ron Arnold notes that environmental groups are
increasingly relying upon wealthy non-profit foundations to fund
their extensive operations while the members themselves play
a declining role. Non-profit foundations donate at least $400
million a year to environmental advocacy and research.